Tales of Kenzera: ZAU's Director Explains The Metroidvania's Spirit

Tales of Kenzera: ZAU, the upcoming Metroidvania and debut game from Surgent Studios, is inspired by Bantu cultures and the creative director’s experience dealing with grief. In the video above, IGN’s Jada Griffin and Brian Altano sit down with Tales of Kenzera: ZAU’s Abubakar Salim to discuss the his journey while making the game.

Tales of Kenzera: ZAU is set to arrive April 23rd, 2024. This title is a side-scrolling platformer developed by Surgent Studios and published by Electronic Arts. Prepare to adventure into the beautiful and treacherous lands of Kenzera as Zau, a young shaman who bargains with the God of Death to bring his Baba back from darkness.

Embark on a poignant single-player story shaped by actor Abubakar Salim’s own experience with grief, discovering how love gives us the courage to press on after devastating loss. Wield powers from the Sun and the Moon to defeat restless spirits in rhythmic combat and become a worthy Nganga: a spiritual healer. Discover a rich universe with untold lore of chaos and order and journey through mystical 2.5D realms awash with color and depth, emboldened by multi-award-winning composer Nainita Desai’s enchanting original score.

Crafted by Surgent Studios, the entertainment studio founded by actor Abubakar Salim (Assassin’s Creed: Origins, Raised by Wolves) and published by EA Originals, Tales of Kenzera: ZAU takes you on a thrilling emotional journey inspired by the rich myths of Bantu cultures.